Cardinals’ J.J. Watt honoring Pat Tillman with special edition shoes

May 25, 2021, 9:50 AM | Updated: 11:24 am

When J.J. Watt had his introductory press conference as an Arizona Cardinal in March, the defensive end mentioned he had been working with Marie Tillman, widow of Pat Tillman, on a project over the last six months.

On Tuesday, the Valley got a clearer picture of what he meant.

Reebok making a special edition of @JJWatt’s JJ IV Valor to honor Pat Tillman that is being released this Thursday. Reebok donating $10 from each shoe to the Pat Tillman Foundation. Watt donating all his royalties from this shoe. pic.twitter.com/eafXbqv2cn

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 25, 2021

In an early Tuesday morning tweet, The Action Network’s Darren Rovell revealed Watt’s plan of honoring the late Pat Tillman with special edition JJ IV Valor shoes that Reebok is releasing Thursday.

Tillman spent four seasons with the Cardinals (1998-2001) after playing three years at Arizona State (1995-97).

The colorway features a light red and white and reads “PT40” near the laces.

Rovell added Reebok will donate $10 for each shoe to the Pat Tillman Foundation, while Watt is donating all of his royalties from the new kicks.

The Pat Tillman Foundation was created in 2004 following Tillman’s death while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.

“Pat’s family and friends started the Pat Tillman Foundation to carry forward that legacy by giving military service members, veterans and spouses who embody those principles the educational tools and support to reach their fullest potential as leaders, no matter how they choose to serve,” the foundation said on its website.

The Tillman edition of Watt’s shoe marks the second colorway released by the defensive end since his arrival to the Valley.

In March, Watt released a shoe he had been working on for eight months that featured a red and black colorway, coincidentally matching his new team.

Serendipitous (adj.):
occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

When we designed this colorway 8 months ago, we just thought it was a simple, clean look. In a serendipitous turn of events, it happens to be Arizona Cardinals colors.

Tonight @ Midnight. pic.twitter.com/YSAIYPKo1z

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 10, 2021